Demulsifiers are chemicals that separate emulsified substances. They work by causing droplets to detach and coalesce into larger structures. Choosing the correct demulsifier depends on the substances in the emulsion. They are commonly used in the production of crude oil and cleaning up oil spills. However, their effectiveness depends on the stability of the emulsion and the type of oil or substance that needs to be eliminated. Success is believed to be based largely on the type of container used.
An emulsion is a mixture of two or more substances that cannot mix. A demulsifier is a substance that can cause emulsified substances to separate. For this reason, these chemicals are often referred to as emulsion breakers. There are many chemicals that can serve this purpose. Choosing the correct one depends on the substances in the emulsion.
Typically, the proportions of substances in an emulsion are not equal. There are two common types of emulsions in an industrial setting. These are oil in water or water in oil blends. The substance which is most prevalent can be referred to as the matrix. The substance that is in the matrix usually exists in droplets.
In some cases, emulsions are unstable and substances will separate easily. In other cases, separation requires a major intervention. This is when a demulsifier can be used.
When the right chemical is chosen, it works by causing a clot-like chemical reaction. Adding a demulsifier to a mixture causes the droplets to detach themselves from the other substances in that mixture. Once the droplets separate, they tend to coalesce into larger structures. This matter often takes on a frothy consistency which can be easily separated.
Normally, when the correct demulsifier is used, control can be exercised over the other substances in the mixture. Since substances react differently to certain chemicals, negative effects on the matrix can be limited. If this type of control is not exercised, all substances in a mixture could be compromised in an attempt to demulsify it.
The use of demulsifiers is commonly used in the production of crude oil. This is because water is normally present in the oil in the initial stages. Water can drastically change the properties of the oil. It is important, however, that most of this water is separated from the blend before the crude oil is refined.
Demulsifiers are also used to clean up oil spills, such as those that can occur at sea. This tactic has shown mixed results. In some cases, such as those where the emulsions aren’t too stable, using a demulsifier works well.
In other cases, the results of using demulsifiers for open water spills have been disappointing. Some stable emulsions can be very difficult to break. These may require a large amount of demulsifier. Even if such a breaking chemical is introduced, some emulsions may still not respond. Success is believed to be based largely on the type of oil or substance that needs to be eliminated. Theories based on laboratory tests suggest that demulsifiers are most effective when used in closed containers.
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